Lib Dems ponder 10mph speed limit

Speed limits on public roads could be cut to 10mph under Liberal Democrat plans for green transport laws aimed at reducing air and noise pollution.

The move, set to be debated at the party’s spring conference next weekend, would allow councils in England to put the speed limits in place on roads outside schools.

The proposal is contained within Lib Dem plans for a Green Transport Act, which would also see high-emission vehicles banned from the UK’s roads by 2040.

The measures would be part of the “five green laws” promised by the Lib Dems on the front page of their election manifesto and likely to be key demands in any coalition negotiations.

The proposals will be put forward for debate at the party’s gathering in Liverpool by Energy and Climate Change Secretary Ed Davey, with environment minister Dan Rogerson winding up the discussion.

The plans would require every new bus and taxi to be an “ultra low emission” vehicle from 2030.

Other proposals include a Nature Act which would require the development of a 25-year plan for reversing the decline of UK wildlife species and the creation of a new quango to increase the “public value” of the forestry estate, based on the recommendations of the Independent Panel on Forestry.

A Zero Waste Britain Act would introduce measures including increased penalties for crimes such as industrial fly tipping.

Another law would introduce a new, legally-binding target for zero carbon emissions by 2050 and ban coal-fired power stations unless they had carbon capture and storage technology.

A Green Buildings Act would include a council tax discount for significant improvements in energy efficiency.

A Liberal Democrat spokesperson said: “It’s no exaggeration to say our future, and that of our children, depends upon us tackling climate change head on.

“The more we delay, the more we are at threat from this ticking time bomb.

“This is why if in Government again we will set about making Britain zero carbon, securing home grown renewable energy while cutting our reliance on fossil fuels from abroad.

“Our proposals are a bold ambition to end Britain’s adverse impact on climate change completely and these two policies form part of this.”